Read:
Acts
3: 12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke
24: 36-48
Reflect:
In this week's gospel, the risen Christ appears to the disciples; they are frightened and fail
to recognize him. He tells them to be at peace. He explains his resurrection by
interpreting scripture. They eat together. They are enlightened, then Jesus
leaves. Luke’s account here is very similar to John’s account, with
one very important difference. Here in Luke’s account, Jesus commissions them
with a very clear vocation saying, “You are witnesses
of these things.” We Episcopalians can
get pretty uncomfortable with the word “witness.” We squirm a bit as we
envision bible-thumping or people intrusively demanding to know whether we have
“been saved.” We have come to understand
that Christianity is personal and private, just as our lives are largely
divided between public and private.
But in the early, first-century church, being a
Christian automatically meant a public
confession and identity. The term “Christian” wasn’t one that followers of
Christ gave to themselves. It was coined by outsiders—those who saw their
thriving community and chose this word to describe them. Early Christians
shared a common life that was unique and visible. Their communities were
intended, not primarily to attract new members or keep the buildings in good repair, but to point to the fulfillment of God’s
story in the person of Christ by the way they loved others and cared for the
weakest among them. To be “witnesses”
meant to live as Christ lived, and love as Christ loved in all spheres of life. Jesus calls us out of individualism into a
common life. He invites us to let our faith shape the way we think about and
live our lives. He invites us to pay attention to the places where God’s love
is at work in our lives and in the world, and to share that good news. We bear
witness all the time to movies, accomplishments, and events that amaze us.
Christ calls us to use what we love to do, what we are good at doing, and the
resources we have to carry the love of Christ out into the world—to be
witnesses by our lives!
Practice:
In
a notebook this week, jot down moments where you noticed God's love at work in the
world or in your life. Also, Make a list
of 5 things you love to do, and 5 things you’re good at. Notice where the items on your lists overlap. Then extend the love of God
to someone else through one of the things on your list. Grace and Peace to you!
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